MANILA – The Philippines vented its ire on the shorthanded Japan as it scored a 113-80 victory in the classification round of the 2018 Asian Games on Tuesday at the Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Christian Standhardinger led the way with double-double 27 points and 13 rebounds while Jordan Clarkson added 22 points, nine assists and six rebounds for the Philippines.
The Philippines is improving from its seventh place finish in 2014 – and can move up to as high as fifth place in the final classification match Friday.
Back-to-back triples from Asi Taulava helped the Filipinos surge to an early 23-17 edge. Japan countered with a run to come to within 24-27 before tying it at the end of the period on a buzzer-beater by Leo Vendrame.
Japan took the lead 34-32 early in the second period but the Philippines responded with a run behind Clarkson, Standhardinger, Gabe Norwood, and Raymond Almazan for a 57-47 halftime lead.
The Philippines’ lead grew 68-47 at the onset of the third canto with conversions from Maverick Ahanmisi, Pringle and Clarkson. Japan rallied to within 14 but the Philippines pulled away anew 82-64 on back-to-back layups by Beau Belga.
Japan made its last push in the fourth quarter at 15 points but the Philippines went for the kill with 3-pointers from Lee, Chris Tiu and Stanley Pringle for 113-80, their largest lead in the game.
Taichi Nakamura led Japan with 16 points while Naoya Kumagae added 15 markers.
Japan was decimated to an eight-man roster after sending home four of its players who spend the night with women in a Jakarta hotel./PN
